Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of high boron white cast iron

The effect of different tempering temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high boron white cast iron after air quenching was studied. The experimental results indicate that the high boron white cast iron comprises a dendritic matrix and interdendritic boride M2B that distributed in the form of continuous network and the matrix is composed of fine pearlite at as-cast condition. After austenitising at 920 °C and air quenching, the matrix of high boron cast iron is changed from pearlite to lath-type martensite, and the morphology of boride is still kept in the form of continuous network. After tempered at 200 °C or a higher temperature, a secondary precipitation with a size of tens of nanometers is found in the matrix, and the size and the amount of this secondary precipitation increase with the increasing of tempering temperature. TEM analysis shows that the secondary precipitates have a crystal structure of M23(B,C)6. With the increasing of tempering temperature after air quenching, the hardness decreases, and the impact toughness firstly increases to a maximum value and then decreases. The optimum structure that has a combination of high hardness and high impact toughness can be obtained when the tempering temperature is lower than 400 °C.

Research highlights▶ The iron comprises a fine pearlite and M2B boride at as-cast condition. ▶ Tempered at a higher temperature, some particles precipitated in the matrix. ▶ The secondary precipitates have a crystal structure of M23(B,C)6. ▶ Optimum structure is obtained when tempered at 400 °C.